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A Drama 




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BY S. HOWELL. 


NEW ORLEANS: 

POINTED AT THK OFFICE OF THE PICAYUNE, CAMP STKEET. 

1874. 


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A Drama 



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BY S. HOWELL. 

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NEW ORLEANS: 

PRINTED AT THE OFFICE OF THE PICAYUNE, 66 CAMP STREET. 

1874. 





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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1873, by 
S. HOWELL, - 

Jn the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 


In Efcchaage. 
How ul'd iyism. UD t 

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Marriage for Revenge 




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XKT FIVE ACTS. 


m 8. HOWELL. 




QECARACTIEI3 RITOI8IOTI&, 


Counselor Jeffries. 
Merideth. 

Captain Harry Grey. 
Evremond. 

Sergeant Patrick. 
Notary. 

Servants. 


Lady Alice Grey. 

Lady Mary Grey. 
Abigail. 

Lucy. 

Susan. 

Servant to Lady Mary. 
Servant to Lady Alice. 


Scene: Near London. 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


ACT Ii 

Scene 1 . — The Library Boom of Jeffries. Susan discovered asleep 
by the Jire. 

Jeffries. (Outside.) Susan, open tlie door. 

Susan. (Rubbing ber eyes.) Dear me, there is Mr. Jeffries* 
and my fine dream is spoiled; (Opens the door.) 

Enter Jeffries. L. E. 

Jeffries. Why, girl, what is the matter, you are up so late f 

Susan. I was afraid to go to bed, sir. 

Jeffries. Afraid ; afraid of what, f I suppose you have been 
aslfeep f 

Susan. No sir, I was not asleep, only dreaming. 

Jeffries. Dreaming : what right have young girls to dream, I 
suppose it was about love and other nonsense. 

Susan. People can’t help what they dream about, sir. 

Jeffries. Well, no matter* dream as you please, but keep such 
nonsense as love and matrimony out of your head. 

Susan. I will try and do so, sir. (Aside.) I don’t think I can. 

Jeffries. Now, Susan go to bed and have me waked up. at cock 
crow, I have important business to attend to. 

Susan. The cocks have been crowing all night, sir, and I don’t 
know when to tell the right one, but I will do my best to And 
out. (Exit. R. E.) 

Jeffries. The Vice Chancellor is an ass. It will not take 
many decisions like he rendered to-day to topple over the liber ^ 
ties of this great Nation. Sir Harry Grey died before his 
daughter was born, his large estates reverted to his son Harry f 
but poor boy he is dead and gone. In the absence of the son, the 
daughter inherits ; such are the laws of England, but the Vice 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


6 

Chancellor decrees the property to Lady Mary Grey, the niece 
of Sir Harry ; and his own daughter by this decision is disinheri- 
ted and compelled to give up the estate. 

Enter Evremond. L. E. 

Evremond. You seem to be an early riser, Mr. Jeffries ? 

Jeffries. You are mistaken, Mr. Evremond, I am keeping late 
hours. My ward has lost her suit in court ; the Vice Chancellor 
has decreed her property to her cousin, Lady Mary Grey. 

Evremond. Can it be possible that such a decree has been given 
to deprive Lady Alice of her lawful property ? 

Jeffries. It is true, sir, and I fear a rehearing will not be 
granted, unless it can be proven that young Harry Grey is alive, 
which is hardly possible, considering his reported loss at sea 
twenty years ago. 

Evremond. I am satisfied, Mr. Jeffries, you did all in your 
power to protect the interests of Lady Alice. If extra counsel 
would be of service in obtaining a rehearing, I would suggest 
the employment of it. 

Jeffries. I believe I understand my profession, Mr. Evremond. 
If I thought extra counsel required I certainly would have ob- 
tained it. We must bide our time ; something may yet turn up 
to save the property to the .rightful owner. In the mean time I 
will advise Lady Alice to keep possession, and not give up the 
mansion unless put out by force. 

Evremond. You will advise well, Mr. Jeffries ; but I fear with- 
out avail. 

Jeffries. Be it so, then, but all cannot be lost. Lady Alice 
will have her mother’s portion to fall back upon, and that you 
know is very large. 

Evremond. Only ten thousand pounds per annum, while the 
estate yields thirty. 

Jeffries. Ten thousand pounds a year is enough to start a new 
married couple in life, and will provide for the numerous wants 
of a family, even a large one. 

Evremond. Thirty thousand is better for the same purpose,, 
Mr. Jeffries. (Jeffries turns away from him.) I fear I am de- 
taining you, sir. I observe numerous papers on the table, and 
presume you have important business to attend to. 


marriage for revenge. 


7 


^Jeffries. I must claim your indulgence, Mr. Evremond ; my 
papers must be arranged before paying my visit to Lady Alice. 
(Sits by the table). 

Evremond. Farewell, Mr. Jeffries. (Goes to the door.) Now, 
Lady Mary, you are mine. It was Lady Alice with the estate 
and love went with it ; but the estate is lost, and now love must 
stand aside. I wed the estate, not the possessor of it. 

(Aside and Exit. L. E.) 

Jeffries (Looking around.) He is goie, and ill luck go with 
him. Evremond is of that class ever on the hunt for a fortune. 
He found one, but I fear has lost it ; he will now go and press 
his suit to Lady Mary Grey, with what success I know not. Ac- 
cording to agreement he marries Lady Alice on Thursday next, 
but that day will find him wanting. An hour’s sleep will refresh 
me, and put me in proper trim to meet my ward. It is an inter- 
view I dread, but is necessary for my purpose to apply for a con- 
tinuance of the suit. (Exit. R. E.) 

Scene 2. — A small room in the house of Lady Mary Grey. Enter 
Lady Mary and servant, R. E. 

Lady Mary. Who brought this letter ? 

Servant. It was brought by a boy of the village. It did not 
come by post. (Exit. L. E.) 

Lady Mary „ ’Tis strange. (Reads.) Madam : The claim your 
father made to the estate of Sir Harry Grey has been brought to 
a close. The Vice-Chancellor decrees that, in the absence of the 
son, the estate goes to the brother, your father, from whom you 
inherit. Will send particulars by post. Rodgers, Solicitor. 

What a surprise ! By this decree I go from poverty to wealth, 
the two extremes of our lives. When my father died I ceased to 
think of the claim he had made for the estate. My cousin Alice, 
who has been good and kind to me, shall never say I wronged 
her. I will renounce all claim to it. 

Enter Servant. L. E k 

Servant. Mr. Evremond is at the door. 

Lady Mary. An early visitor. Admit him. (Exit servant L.E.) 
This visit has a meaning. (Enter Evremond, L. E.) How am I 
to receive this early visit, Mr. Evremond I You absented your- 


8 


marriage for revenge. 


self from my house for the past two years, and a renewal of your 
visits I confess is a surprise to me. 

Evremond. You need not he surprised, dear Lady Mary. I ask 
that my visit he received hoth as a friend and as a lover. 

Lady Mary. You amaze me, Mr. Evremond, hy this declaration, 
considering that we were once betrothed, but separated in our 
loves more than two years ago ; you quit me then and became 
engaged to my cousin Alice. I felt the desertion at the time as 
keenly as one devoted as I was to you could feel, but I confess 
my devotion has given place to the most total indifference, and 
it is not my wish to have the scenes of our early loves again 
enacted. 

Evremond. You are very plain in your language, Lady Mary. 
I came to renew our friendship, and if possible, our loves ; and if 
both are gained to offer my heart and hand. 

Lady Mary. And desert me as you did before, and intend 
doing to Lady Alice. 

Evremond. Lady Alice has no claim on me. 

Lady Mary. That is not proper language for you to use, Mr. 
Evremond, considering your engagement to my cousin, Lady 
Alice Grey. 

Evremond. I intend breaking off the engagement, and have a 
letter written declining the marriage with your cousin. 

Lady Mary. Then you are serious in your determination not 
to marry Lady Alice Grey ? You forget that I am poor and Lady 
Alice has wealth. 

Evremond. I am serious, Lady Mary, and prefer your poverty 
to the wealth of your cousin. 

Lady Mary. This interview is painful to me, Mr. Evremond. 
I cannot do in haste what may cause a lifetime to repent. To- 
morrow I will give an answer to your proposal ; in the mean- 
while think well of what yon are doing. I will leave you now, 
my solicitor is waiting for me in the adjoining room. (Exit R. E.) 

Evremond. I think I have gained the day. Now for London, 
and to-night Lady Alice will get my letter declining the mar- 
riage. To-morrow I will return here and be accepted. If I lose 
Lady Mary, Lady Alice will be too glad to receive me back. 

(Exit L. E.) 


marriage eoe revenge. 


9 


Enter Lady Mary. R. E. 

Lady Mary. How often it is that those who Were once loved, 
aye dearly loved, become repulsive to you. I loathe the sight of 
Evremond, not only for his treatment to me, but for his bad 
faith with my cousin Alice. I feigned an excuse to be rid of 
him. To-morrow he will get an answer to his proposal, and it 
will be one he will never forget. (Exit R. E.) 

Scene 3 .—The Woods on Lady Alice's Estate. A large oak in the 
rear under which Capt. Grey is sleeping. Sergeant Patrick sitting 
on a log close by. The family mansion seen in the distance. 

Patrick. (Rising.) Captain Harry is still sound asleep. He 
gave orders to be called at break of day, but as I am not on duty 
I will disobey them. 

( Captain Grey comes forward .) 

Capt. Grey. Patrick, I gave you orders to call me at daylight* 
and now the sun is well up. 

Patrick. Your Honor did, but as I am not on duty, I preferred 
you to have a good sleep. 

Capt. Grey. Well then, get ready for our journey 1 it is a long 
one, but we soldiers w'ho have tramped through the sands and 
over the mountains of India need not fear the good turnpike 
roads of Old England. 

Patrick. I am ready at call, sir. 

Capt. Grey. Then rid yourself of part of your baggage. You 
will lind in the trunk of the oak under which I slept an opening 
large enough for your purpose ; you can place your bundle there 
with perfect safety. (Patrick goes to the tree.) I dread this 
long journey, but as a soldier in duty bound will perform it. 

Patnck. (Coming forward.) Captain Harry, here is a letter 
directed to you, which I found in the hollow of the tree ; some- 
body about here seems to know you. 

Capt. Grey. Hand me the letter, and see if you can find any- 
thing more in the tree. (Patrick goes to the tree, Captain 
reads*) 

My dear boy: Evremond has completely recovered, but I 
would advise you to remain concealed for a short time, then all 


10 


marriage for revenge. 


will be forgotten. I send you enclosed two hundred pounds ; be 
prudent until I further advise you. Jeffries. 

What a load is off my mind. A suspense of twenty years is 
now set at rest by the reading of this letter. I am no murderer 
then, and can walk my native land in safety and claim my in- 
heritance. Sergeant, have you found any more papers ? 

Patrick. No more, Captain Harry. 

Capt. Grey. Then go at once to the village close by, and take 
two seats in the coach. I have changed my mind about walking. 

Patrick. You act wisely, captain. 

Capt. Grey. The coach does not leave until nine ; I will be 
with you in time. You can breakfast in the village. 

Patrick. Your Honor must be acquainted about here. 

Capt. Grey. Indeed I am, Sergeant. I was born in that large 
mansion you see at the end of the woods. Be off' now ; here is 
money for our passage ; but wait till we lind out who this is 
coming. (Jeffries enters L. E. reading a paper.) As I live it is 
my kind old friend and guardian Jeffries. I will salute him, 
but remain incog. (Goes up to Jeffries.) I do not wish to dis- 
turb you, sir ; but how far are we from London ? 

Jeffries. Hallo, w’hat have we here, gipseys or poachers ? 

Capt. Grey. We are neither, sir; only travellers bound to 
Liverpool on business of a private nature. 

Jeffries. Then what are you doing on private lands ? had you 
gone to the house you would have had comfortable quarters. 

Capt. Grey. I preferred* camping out. I have done it for 
twenty years. 

Jeffries. I do not doubt what you say, sir ; but you are liable 
to punishment as trespassers. These lands belong to Lady 
Alice. 

Capt. Grey. Pray, Sir, who is Lady Alice ? 

Jeffries. Then you are indeed a stranger, not to know Lady 
Alice, daughter of Sir Harry Grey, deceased twenty years ago. 

Capt. Grey. (Greatly surprised). Sir Harry Grey’s daughter, 
did you say, sir ? 

Jeffries. Yes, sir, I did ; and no one can doubt it ; I was pre- 
sent at her birth. You seem surprised, sir ? 

Capt. Grey. I am. indeed. I know Sir Harry had an only son, 
but never before heard of a daughter. 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


11 


Jeffries. Listen, tmd I will tell you. Master Harry Grey, a 
fine boy of fifteen, quarrelled with a companion named Evre- 
mond. The boys were of the same age, but Harry the most 
powerful. Evremond seized a club to strike, but Harry with 
his fist brought' him to the ground. The poor boy thought he 
had killed Evremond, ran away, and concealed himself on this 
very ground. I engaged to write to him, and deposited in the 
hollow of that oak a letter containing two hundred pounds, 
and recommended him to lay concealed until Evremond re- 
covered. 

Capt. Grey. (Aside) How will I recollect all this. (Loud) 
Did Evremond get well ? 

Jeffries. Yes, and is still alive and will soon marry Lady Alice 
Grey. But to continue : Harry did not get my letter, but be- 
came frightened, made his way to Liverpool on foot, took pas- 
sage on a ship bound to the East Indies, ajid when nearing the 
coast the vessel was lost with all on board. The loss of his son 
so affected Sir Harry that he sickened and died soon after hear- 
ing of his son’s death. 

Capt. Grey. (Aside) My dear, dear father ! 

Jeffries. Lady Alice was born four months after the death of 
her father. I fear she will lose this fine estate. The absence of 
the son transfers the property to his brother, the only relative 
alive at the time of his death ; so decrees the Vice-Chancellor. 
Lady Alice can only preserve the estate by the return of her 
brother Harry ; but poor boy, he is dead and gone. 

Capt. Grey. Is it certain that Harry Grey was lost at sea ? 

Jeffries. It is ; his father’s correspondents in India sent him 
clothing recognized as belonging to the boy. 

Capt. Gi'ey. Are you speaking of Harry Grey, the son of Sir 
Harry Grey, who owned this estate ? 

Jeffries. I am. 

Capt. Gi'ey. He is alive. 

Jeffries. (Starting back in amazement.) Who are you, sir ? 

Capt. Grey. An officer in his Majesty’s service stationed in 
India, but now on furlough. 

Jeffries. I am glad to know you : my name is Jeffries, solicitor 
and guardian to Lady Alice Grey. Now what do you know of 
my boy Harry ? 


12 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


Capt. Grey . I simply know, sir, that your boy Harry, as yoit 
call him, is alive and w r ell. We belong to the same regiment, 
mess and sleep together. I am now on my way to Liverpool, 
where I have important business to attend to. On my return I 
will see you at any place you may name, and promise to bring 
with me your boy, Harry Grey. 

Jeffries. You speak like a man of truth, sir ; meet me at my 
office not far off. 

Capt Grrey. I know where you reside, Mr. Jeffries. 

Jeffries. Then do not fail to meet me : produce Harry Grey 
and your fortune is made. 

Capt Grey. I have given my word, Mr. Jeffries, and promise 
to keep it. (Looks at his watch.) It is eight o’clock and the 
coach leaves at nine, giving me little time for preparation. 
Farewell ! you will not be deceived in me. 

(Exit with Patrick. L. E.) 

Jeffries. Am I in a dream ? Harry Grey alive, reported dead 
twenty years ago ! Can such an event be possible ? Yes, it is 
possible, and like a prudent lawyer will take my precaution. I 
can now make an application to the Vice Chancellor for a re- 
versal of his decision, and to suspend the judgment until the 
truth is known. Lady Alice must keep possession; (Exit R. E.) 


ACT II. 

Scene 1 . — The Library Room of Lady Alice. A round table in the 
middle of the stage, with a vase of flowers and papers on it. 

Enter Lady Alice with a Letter R. E; 

Lady Alice, (reads) I cannot see you until evening, my dear 
child, and then will have bad news for you. The possessions of 
your dear father go from you to your cousin, Lady Mary Grey; 
such is the decree of the Vice Chancellor. Be of good cheer, my 
dear child ; all may yet be well, Jeffries. 

This is astounding news. Lose my estate where I was born and 
passed so many happy days. Can the laws of England be made 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


13 


to set aside a daughter’s claim to her father’s possessions ? I 
think they are not so unjust. Mr. Jeffries, I am satisfied, has 
done all in his poAver for me, and being in possession, I will re- 
main in possession only to be removed by force. (Sits by the 
table.) Evremond is late this evening. (Looks at her watch.) 
Dear me ! he is four hours later than his promise. I suppose he 
is at the club ; that is a standing apology for want of punctual- 
ity. Let me see, this is Monday night : on Thursday we marry . 
only three days of freedom left, but what is freedom compared 
to the happiness of marrying the one you love. I wish Evre- 
mond would come, the little time left us for courtship will soon 
pass away. I want to see him now, to consult and advise with 
him about my estates ; he may be sick and I away from him ; I 
would send to his lodgings to inquire, but it would not look 
well in me to do so. Four hours later than last night, and all 
the other nights since his visits began ; how would he like to be 
served in this way ? (Rises and walks the stage.) Men are so 
unreasonable, they can’t bear to be disappointed. If I were not 
ready when Evremond called, he was sure to chide me for my 
negligence, but look at him now, four hours behind our appoint- 
ment, fie on such a man ! I that have fortune, youth, and I 
think beauty, to be treated in this way. I could cry my eyes 
out with vexation, but I have too much pride to do so. I will 
pay you for this, Mr. Evremond : you are indifferent, I can be in- 
different too (Sits.) Hark! he is now coming. (Jeffries ap- 
proaches from the rear.) You have come at last, Mr. Evremond ; 
I do not deserve such treatment, but I will forgive you on a 
promise not. to do so any more. (Jeffries appears in front.) I 
am glad to see you, guardian, but I thought you were Evre- 
mond. 

Jeffries. I came late, my child, to see you, and expected to 
find Mr. Evremond with you, but it seems he is away. 

Lady Alice. I don’t know where he can be so late ; last night 
when he left he bid me be ready by six, it is now past ten. 

Jeffries. (Aside.) As I expected, he is playing Lady Alice false. 
(Loud.) You may not see him to-night, my child. 

Lady Alice. Not see him to-night, impossible ! he may be neg- 
ligent, but he has to much love for me to stay away a single 


14 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


night. I will wait till the sun rises to see him, as I know press- 
ing engagements alone have kept him away. 

Jeffries. (Aside.) Infatuated girl, what a blow will follow 
when the truth is known ! 

Lady Alice. I did not expect you to-night, Mr. Jeffries, 
although you wrote to me you would come. Are my prospects 
now any brighter than they were when you wrote the letter. 

Jeffries. I think they are. I am hardly at liberty to speak 
of an adventure I met with this morning, but this I will 
say to you, my child, appearances indicate that your brother is 
alive. 

Lady Alice. God grant it may be true, but I fear you have 
been led away more by the wish than by the reality. 

Jeffries. At any rate sign this paper, my child ; it is a stay of 
proceedings, and the plea I make is the possibility of Harry be- 
ing alive. Under no circumstances give up your homestead, 
you will be protected in all efforts made to remove you by force. 

Lady Alice. My faithful guardian, how much I owe you. 
(Signs the paper.) 

Jeffries. Farewell, my child, I will see you in the morning. 
It is late, you had better retire for the night. 

Lady Alice. I cannot go yet, I am expecting Mr. Evremond. 

Jeffries. Mr. Evremond must be a late visitor. 

Lady Alice. He has not been attentive to-day. You know our 
marriage takes place on Thursday next. We are engaged to go 
this evening and sign the contract at the Notary’s. 

Jeffries. Is the Notary ready with the contract ? 

Lady Alice. He is, so he informs me by letter. 

Jeffries. You can delay it until morning. 

Lady Alice. There can be no delay in happiness. I will wait 
the rising of the sun for Mr. Evremond. I know he will come. 

Jeffries. Adieu, Lady Alice, may you be happy. 

Lady Alice. Good night, my guardian ; if you by chance meet 
Evremond, say I am waiting for him. 

Jeffries. For your sake, Lady Alice, I trust I may meet him. 

(Exit. L. E.) 

Enter Lucy. R. E. 

Lucy. Madam, shall I place the light in your bed-chamber ? 
you may wish to retire for the night. 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


15 


Lady Alice. No, Lucy; I will remain in the library for some 
time. (Bell rings.) Go and admit Mr. Evremond. (Exit Lucy, 
L. E.) I feel a heaviness of heart since Mr. Jeffries has been 
here, but I know it will disappear as soon as Evremond arrives. 
(Calls.) Lucy. (Enter Lucy, L. E.) Who rang the bell just 
now ? 

Lucy. It was Victor’s waiting man, who brought your bridal 
wreath and veil. (Exit, R. E.) 

Lady Alice. They are sent home in time : my preparations for 
the marriage are now complete. Would Evremond were here to 
take me to the Notary’s. (Looks at her watch.) Another delay ; 
it is to late to go out ; how dreadful is this suspense. (Rises 
and walks the stage.) Evremond, where are you? why do you 
absent yourself from me on the eve of our marriage ? We parted 
last night to meet again to-night, and you are still away. (Bell 
rings.) At last he is here, and will crave my forgiveness, 
(Sits.) Shall I forgive him ? yes, I will. (Enter Lucy, R. E.) 
Who was it that came in ? 

Lucy. It was Abigail, Madam. 

Lady Alice. She is out very late. Lucy, bring my veil and 
wreath, and let me see if they are properly made. (Lucy goes 
out, R. E.) I would retire for the night, but Evremond might 
come, and be disappointed in not seeing me. (Lucy enters, R. 
E., with veil and wreath. Lady Alice puts on the wreath.) 

Lucy. It becomes yon well, madam. 

Lady Alice. I hope Evremond will be pleased with it ; take 
them away, Lucy, I will not look upon them again until my 
wedding day. Send Abigail to me. (Exit Lucy, R. E.) She 
may have met Evremond, and. can probably give me news to re- 
lieve my mind. (Enter Abigail, R. E.) You were out late to- 
night, Abigail ; did you see, or hear of Mr. Evremond ? 

Abigail. I did not see him, madam, but my neice, who lives 
on the road going to your cousin’s, told me that he passed the 
house early this morning, on his way to Lady Mary Grey’s. 

Lady Alice. (Starting up.) Impossible! your neice is mis- 
taken. Mr. Evremond at this time has no business with my 
cousin ; besides, he would not have paid the visit without in- 
forming me. (Sits.) 


16 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


Abigail. I heard other news, Lady Alice, and with your per- 
mission will repeat it. 

Lady Alice. Speak out freely, Abigail ; I am at this time a 
ready listener for truth or scandal. 

Abigail. Well then, madam, to begin, my nephew, Charles, 
was early in the woods this morning, looking for his horse that 
had strayed away in the night. Hearing voices he looked around 
and saw squire Jeffries talking with two strange men. One of 
the men told the squire that your brother Harry was alive, and 
he would produce him on his return from Liverpool. Charles 
is certain the stranger is your brother. 

Lady Alice. This, then, is the news Mr. Jeffries kept from me. 
You can go, Abigail. (Exit Abigail, R. E.) If the news should 
prove true, how Evremond will rejoice that the property is 
saved for me. (Bell rings.) At last he is come ; it is late, but 
no matter, any excuse he may offer I will accept to have him 
with me. 

Enter Lucy. L. E. 

Lucy. Madam, Mr. Evremond was at the door and gave me 
this letter for you. 

Lady Alice. (Rising.) Mr. Evremond at the door ! Why did he 
not enter? 

Lucy. I know not, Madam, but he seemed in haste. 

Lady Alice. T’is strange, (opens the letter.) My God, what is 
this ! (falls in the chair, her head resting on her arms on the 
table.) 

The curtain drops slowly. 


ACT III. 

Scene 1 . — Tlie Library Loom of Lady Alice. The curtain rises 
showing Lady Alice in the same position as in the last scene of 
the previous act. 

Lady Alice. (Raising her head.) Is this a dream or is it re- 
ality? (Takes up the letter.) It is reality. I will take courage 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


17 


and read the letter again. (Reads.) Lady Alice will forgive and 
forget one who ever esteemed her. Oar marriage cannot take 
place. I have offered my hand to Lady Mary Grey, and to-mor- 
row will he accepted as a suitor. May Lady Alice be ever 
happy. 

Monday night, Evremond. 

Cool and deliberate is this insult, and I do not think it is my 

cousin who has played me false. (Rising and speaking with 

force.) It is Evremond who is the false one, and he shall rue it 

to the end of his life. Oh ! my God, what a condition am I now 

in : deceived, insulted and betrayed by one who should have 

been my protector ! Who can I look to now for advice and aid 

to save my own, since Evremond has gone from me? I have 

* 

walked this room the entire night brooding over my misfortunes. 
Has it bettered me ? No. Will it better me to feed on my misery, 
(with force,) and kiss the hand that has smote me, or shall I 
rise superior to the arts of this gay deceiver and ward off the 
blow that is now crushing me ? (Kueels.) Oh ! my mother, now 
in Heaven, pray for me that I may have your energy of charac- 
ter ; that I may have your resolution to overcome all misfortunes 
that are now upon me. (Rises and walks the stage.) Let me 
at once determine my course and be revenged on the perfidious 
man who has deserted me. For him I have spurned, trampled 
on all suitors, and treated all mankind for his %ake with disdain. 
I am now a rejected, broken-hearted girl, with a large fortune 
at my command. Shall I die without marriage and leave my 
wealth to hospitals, parrots and monkeys ; or shall I wed with- 
out love and leave my inheritance to children that I will teach 
to love a mother, who I trust, will devote a long life to their 
prosperity and happiness ? Although rejected, I am not yet lost, 
and (with emphasis,) I will marry ; yes, and marry one who shall 
be my tool and slave ; he shall be an image set up to sustain 
my dignity before the world, and he shall be obedient. Never, 
never can I love and honor any man after such treatment as I 
have experienced ; never shall any man love me more. I will 
force myself to be happy. (Appears gay.) Feasts and routs I 
will surfeit with and forget I ever loved. Happiness may come, 
(sad) but can it come with a life like this ? I think not. It 


18 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


will be the showy glitterings of the outside concealing the mis- 
eries within. I cannot he so deceitful ; but oh ! my God, what 
must I do (crying,) nature will have its course ; I cannot help 
it. What if I should remain single, for the very name of man is 
loathsome to me ; but the frightful picture of an old maid wal- 
lowing in cards and scandal, pampering overfed dogs and cats, 
sneered at by her acquaintance, reviled by her enemies I can 
never come to that. Better give up liberty, wealth, liberty of 
thought even, perhaps, and all to a man I must despise than re- 
main single to be pointed at as one rejected. (Vehemently.) I 
must and will marry ! 

Enter Lucy. L. E. 

Lucy. You are unwell, Madam, shall I send for a Physician ? 

Lady Alice. No, Lucy; get some opium and take it to my room ? 
(Exit Lucy L. E.) Expose my wretchedness to a prying world, 
never ! I must have revenge : the dagger and poison are within my 
reach, but my religion forbids an act of self-destruction : besides 
how would I know he felt the blow ? 

Enter. Abigail. L. E. 

Abigail. Madam, all the servants pity you and will do all in 
their power to aid you to be your own dear self again. 

Lady Alice. Leave me. (Exit Abigail, L. E.) Pity from such a 
source ! O E vremond, you know not the heart you have crushed. 
This letter says to^be accepted to-morrow, (hopeful.) Then you 
are not married. (With force.) This match must be broken off. 
(With feeling.) You taught me to love you, my Evremond, and 
you shall not marry another. (Kneels.) Oh, Evremond, my 
girlhood’s idol, my womanhood’s pride, come back ; yes, come 
back, I will forgive all. O come back, come back and be 
true to me again. 

Enter. Lucy. L. E. 

Lucy. Mr. Evremond is at the door and desires to see Lady 
Alice. 

Lady Alice. (Rising and with indignation.) Away! I am not 
to be seen, my mind is now relieved. (Sits.) As I have loved, so 
will I hate. No man shall ever claim my love again, but I will 
marry to ease the revenge that sits heavy on my heart. (Rises 
and walks the stage.) A sudden thought flashes through my 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


19 


mind, is it feasible ? Yes ! it must, it shall be : Lucy, send Abi- 
gail to me. (Exit Lucy, L. E.) Audacious man, to treat me as a 
child ; he will find I can marry if it takes money to buy the hus- 
band. (Sits, when Abigail enters, L. E.J Abigail, you have 
brought me up from childhood, have ever been kind and faithful 
to me, I now wish you to do me a favor. 

Abigail. I will do anything in the world for your ladyship, so 
dear and kind you have always been to me. 

Lady Alice. Then go to the postern gate, you will see a young 
laboring man at work, bring him to me at the library at once. I 
will go to my room for a short time and arrange for his coming. 

Abigail. Consider, Lady Alice, what you are doing ? A young 
lady’s reputation cannot be too sacred. 

Lady Alice. (Passionately.) Begone! and do my bidding. 

Abigail. Poor lady, she is indeed crazy, but my place is a good 
one. (Aside and exit, L. E.) 

Lady Alice. (With force.) Taunted from a quarter I did not ex- 
pect. (Sneeringly.) The servants pity me. (With force) I require 
the pity of no one. I have embarked in an enterprise and will 
take the venture. The young man looks superior to his menial 
occupation and was always respectful to me when I passed the 
crossing. I hear footsteps on the gallery, he must have been 
close at hand. I will go and arrange for this strange meeting. 

(Exit, R. E.) 

(Enter Abigail with Merideth in his working clothes, L. E.) 

Abigail. My Lady desires you to remain in this room ; she will 
be with you presently. (Exit.) 

Merideth. What can all this mean ? Have I committed an 
offence and been sent for to be reprimanded, or is it one of those 
sudden and benevolent caprices, that ladies for their own 
amusement sometimes honor poor people ? What a contrast is 
here to the squalid room I inhabit ; happy is the one possessing 
all these luxuries. To be noticed by the great and beautiful 
heiress, almost too precious for a poor fellow to speak to, save 
with downcast eyes and humility of tongue is now my lot ; even 
in this noble room replete with luxuries and elegance let me not 
forget my own honor as a man and the respect that is due to 
virtue in the noble lady of this house. 


20 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


Enter. Lady Alice. R. E. 

Lady Alice. I have sent for you, sir, pray be seated. 

Merideth. I have been taught, Madam, not to sit in presence 
of ladies. 

Lady Alice. Indeed, who gave you that lesson ? 

Merideili. My mother, Madam. 

Lady Alice. You are very poor. 

Merideth. I am poor, Madam, very ; but I am honest. 

Lady Alice. I do not suppose you are going to rob me. How 
would you like to be rich ? 

Mei'ideth. (Bowing. and turning to leave.) Madam. 

Lady Alice. (Sits.) Stay ; I have a great deal to say. I pro- 
pose to bestow wealth on you — to make you rich — to make you 
in short a gentleman. 

Merideth. (Surprised.) Madam! 

Lady Alice. Speak not — listen ; I have things to say still more 
surprising : hear, but do not interrupt me. Do you comprehend, 
young man, how this wealth and station must become yours ? 
I will tell you ; you must become — my husband. 

Merideth. (In great surprise.) Madam! 

Lady Alice. (Haughtily.) Perhaps I am rejected? 

Merideth. Madam, I am but a poor fellow, earning a mere 
crust by the most degraded labor, but I have yet that in my 
keeping which is better in the eye of God than wealth and 
rank without : I mean, Madam, the honor of a man — a man who 
has never been debased, further than poverty can debase. I 
think I understand your ladyship. My own poverty is irksome 
enough ; I can not bear the burden of a fine lady's shame. 

Lady Alice. (Rising hastily.) Sirrah, what mean you? ( Sor- 
rowful.) Have I deserved this— (aside.) 

Merideth. I crave your ladyship’s pardon for what I have 
said. 

Lady Alice. (Sits.) You are very bold, but you are mistaken. 
Listen : He who sought my hand and fortune, and whom I have 
loved from girlhood is lalse : by this time he has wedded ano- 
ther. My soul burns to be revenged, but the name and sight of 
man is hateful to me. In reality I w’ill never take on myself the 
duties or affections of a wife. It is for this I sent for you. You 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


21 


are poor: (sneering) it will be something for you to be raised 
out of the mire of poverty and dirt. The ceremony of marriage 
will confer on you some advantages which wealth can give. In 
the eyes of the world you will be my husband ; to me you must 
bind yourself by a solemn oath, a written bond, never to be 
more than you are at this moment standing there, a beggar and 
an outcast. Remain here for a short time ; deliberate on the ad- 
vantages offered — an opportunity of fortune which few would 
reject in your circumstances. But make no mistake: you will 
be bound down strictly, and on the least attempt to alter the 
conditions of our contract, my wealth shall obtain a divorce, and 
you shall be cast forth to your original station. Remember, the 
title of my husband, the fortune of a gentleman ; but from my- 
self only the consideration I afford to my other paid and fed 
lacqueys. (Exit haughtily, R. E.) 

Merideth. I am amazed ! An offer of marriage from a rich and 
handsome lady, and one that I have long loved but dared not 
look upon : but the insolent speech is enough to crush the most 
humble. Lady Alice, w hose image, purer and fairer far than 
the reality, has filled my bosom and unconsciously elevated my 
thoughts far above my station, must seek some tool better fitted 
for so humiliating a position ; but there arises a picture which 
effectually chains me to this room, and holds me down as it were 
with chains of lead. (With feeling.) My saving angel ! my 
guardian spirit ! my poor, bed-ridden mother! whose tender 
love for me in spite of all our wretchedness appeals to me to not 
let go this golden chance fortune has so strangely offered to me. 

(Enter Lucy, R. E. with a salver filled with rich viauds and 
wines ; puts it on the table.) 

Lucy. Lady Alice desires you to take refreshments ; she will 
not be long absent. (Exit, L. E.) 

Merideth . Hunger and poverty drag down to earth the bright- 
est and most soaring spirits. (Eats and drinks.) O my poor, 
dear, invalid mother, now stretched on your pallet in your poor 
garret, these delicacies and other comforts of life would be with- 
in your reach by the mock marriage of your son. For your sake, 
dear mother, I accept the heiress on her own terms. 

Enter Lady Alice. R. E. 


22 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


Lady Alice. Is your mind settled on my offer of marriage on 
the conditions I have named ? 

Mei'ideth. It is, Madam. 

Lady Alice. You will now procure suitable attire and return 
at once to this room, where you will find me (gives him a purse 
of gold.) I will have the contract between us prepared and 
ready for signature ; after that I will inform you when the mar- 
riage ceremony is to take place. Your name ? 

Merideth. Paul Merideth, Madam. 

Lady Alice. (Aside.) The name sounds well. (Loud.) My 
woman will conduct you through the garden into the park. You 
will return the same way. It is important that none of the ser- 
vants should see you. (Rings, when Abigail enters, L. E.) Ac- 
company Mr. Merideth into the park and be ready to receive 
him on his return. Send Lucy to summon Mr. Jeffries to be 
here without fail, and bring with him the Notary. 

Abigail. Mr. Jeffries and the Notary are in the room below 
waiting your pleasure, Madam. 

Lady Alice. ; Tis well, you may now go. (Exit Merideth and 
Abigail, L. E.) So far all has gone well, but I must see my old 
guardian and coax him into my new arrangement. (Rings, 
when Lucy enters, L. E.) Inform Mr. Jeffries I am ready to re- 
ceive him. (Exit Lucy, L. E.) I know full well I am about to 
violate all those nice proprieties which fence in and invest 
women with the sanctity of respect; (with emphasis) but I 
have been trampled upon, and nought will do to right myself 
but revenge. (Walks the stage, when Jeffries enters, L. E.) Mr. 
Jeffries, I am glad you are here. I wish to consult you on my 
marriage with Mr. Merideth. 

Jeffries. You mean Mr. Evremond, my dear. 

Lady Alice. No, Mr Jeffries ; Mr. Evremond has basely de- 
serted me, and I have engaged to marry Mr. Merideth. 

Jeffries. So soon! and pray, my dear, who is Mr. Merideth? 

Lady Alice. A gentleman of this neighborhood. 

Jeffries. I never heard of him. Have you known him for a 
long time ? 

Lady Alice. Yes, very long ; (Asid)e since this morning. 


MARRIAGE EOIl REVENGE. 


23 


Jeffries. I do not feel at liberty, my child, to give my consent 
to so hasty a marriage. 

Lady Alice. (Indifferent.) It matters not, Mr. Jeffries. 

Jeffries. Consider, Lady Alice, that what you are about to do 
will annihilate your own self esteem, and 

Lady Alice. Stop, sir, I have well considered my course, and 
adopted the only means to be revenged on the base man who 
has cast aside the love confided to him, (with force) and 
trampled under foot the honor and obligation so dear to woman 
who has loved with a devotion like mine. There is such a thing as 
pride, Mr. Jeffries. I have inherited it from my parents, and no 
slight such as I now stagger under, although it may leave pas- 
sionate regrets, shall ever be forgiven. 

Jeffries. Do you love Mr. Merideth ? 

Lady Alice. I will never love again. I have stated the con- 
ditions of marriage to Mr. Merideth. He has accepted them. I 
am satisfied. 

Jeffries. But I am not, Lady Alice ; as your guardian, I pro- 
test against this marriage as ill advised and imprudent. 

Lady Alice. You are my guardian, it is true, Mr. Jeffries ; but 
I am of lawful age, and at any time you can be removed. 

Jeffries. I have ever loved you as a child, Lady Alice ; and 
know I am without authority to withhold from you any rights 
you may claim ; but still I may reason with you, and try and 
convince you of your error by force of argument. 

Lady Alice. Until Mr. Merideth arrives let us drop the sub- 
ject. 

Jeffries. You are expecting Mr. Merideth ? 

Lady Alice. Iam; he is probably here now, as I see Abigail 
has returned. 

Enter Abigail, who goes to Lady Alice. L. E. 

Abigail. The young man is at the door. 

Lady Alice. Admit him at once. (Exit Abigail, L. E., when 
Merideth enters, L. E., well dressed.) My gold has done won- 
ders. (Aside.) 

Jeffries. (Aside.) A fine looking man, truly. 

Lady Alice. Is the Notary at hand, Mr. Jeffries? 

Jeffries. He is coming in now. 


24 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


Enter Notary with papers, sits at the table. L. E. 

Lady Alice. Is the contract ordered for Thursday next ready, 
Mr. Notary? 

Notary. It is, Madam ; except that the names are not inser- 
ted. 

Lady Alice. I have hastily drawn up certain conditions I wish 
inserted in the contract; here are also the names to go in (Writes 
the names and hands the contract to Jeffries.) Mr. Jeffries, will 
you read the conditions to Mr. Merideth. 

Jeffries. (Reads.) That in consideration of a settlement of 
three thousand pounds per annum to he settled on Paul Meri- 
deth, he, the said Merideth, shall entirely forgo and resign the 
authority of a husband. He shall attend his wife in public, but 
in private separate suites of rooms shall separate them from 
the companionship of domestic life. (Hands the paper to the 
Notary, then sits at the table and writes.) 

Lady Alice. Mr. Merideth, are you satisfied with the condi- 
tions I have inserted ? 

Merideth. Yes, Madam. 

Lady Alice. Mr. Notary, I will sign the contract. Mr. Meri- 
deth will also sign. 

Notary. It is ready, Madam. (Hands the paper, both sign 
it, she then takes it to the front.) 

Lady Alice. (Aside.) Thank God! he can write, and a good 
round hand it is. (Returns the paper to the Notary.) 

Jeffries. (Rising and looking excitedly from one to the other 
taking his snuff quite freely.) (Aside.) The man must be a 
fool to accept such conditions. (Hands the Notary a paper.) 

Lady Alice. Have you a form of oath at hand, Mr. Notary ? 

Notary. I have, Madam. Shall I read it ? 

Lady Alice. Yes. 

Notary. (Reads.) I solemnly swear that I will well and 
truly observe the conditions of the contract of marriage made 
with (inserts the name) Lady Alice Grey, and on any deviation 
made on my part from the said contract, I hereby agree to re- 
linquish the allowance of (fills the blank) three thousand 
pounds per annum, and to consent to an immediate divorce of 
marriage. 


marriage for revenge. 


25 


I have filled up the blanks, Madam. 

Lady Alice. That is proper. Do you agree to the oath, Mr. 
Merideth ? 

Merideth. I do, Madam, and will sign it. (Signs.) 

Lady Alice. All that now remains is our marriage. In two 
days from this we will meet at the house of Mr. Jeffries. Our 
wedding will be a private one. For the present, I bid you adieu. 

(Exit haughtily, R. E.) 

Jeffries. For the happiness of both of you, Mr. Merideth, I 
trust Lady Alice may one day relent. 

Merideth. If kindness and attention will bring it about, I will 
not be in fault. 

Jeffries. Dine with me to-day, and we will discuss your future 
prospects. (Exeunt, L. E.) 


ACT IV. 

% 

Scene 1 . — The Library Room of Jeffries. Susan discovered dusting 
and arranging the room. Sergeant Patrick sitting . 

Enter Jeffries. L. E. 

Jeffries . Susan, has the Captain arrived 1 
Susan. No, sir, but his sergeant is here. 

Jeffries . When did you arrive, Sergeant f 
Patrick. This morning, sir. (rising and looking out.) I see 
the captain coming up the path to the house. 

Jeffries . I hope the room is in order, Susan? 

Susan. Yes, sir ; I have been hard at work — Very hard (Aside) 
Enter Captain Grey. R. E. 

Jeffries. I am very glad to see you, captain. 

Captain. Thank you kindly, Mr. Jeffries. 

Jeffries. Where is my boy Harry you were to bring ? 

Captain He is not far off. 

Jeffries. Take a seat at the table, captain. Susan, bring in 
some of the old Madeira, we will take a bottle, and when you 
bring me my boy we will have a dozen. (Susan goes out and 
returns with wine. ) 


26 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


Captain. You will take the dozen, Mr. Jeffries. 

Jeffries. I hope so, captaiii. 

Captain. Why are you so interested in young Harry Grey, 
Mr. Jeffries ? 

Jeffries. Why, because I saw him born ; have many a time 
danced him on my knees ; was the bosom friend of his father. 
Harry was a boy of fifteen when he left his natiye land. It kil- 
led his poor father, and his poor mother for years grieved his 
loss. I fear, captain, you are mistaken in Harry Grey being 
alive. 

Captain. Ho not be too certain of that, Mr. Jeffries. I told 
you I would bring to you young Harry Grey, and I intend to do 
so. Would you know him were you to see him now ? Is there 
any sign or mark about his person to make him known to you ? 
Recollect, my dear sir, there is a prize to be gained in being de- 
clared the legal heir of Sir Harry Grey, and many might im- 
pose on you as the true heir, and carry off the estate. 

Jeffries. I am too wide awake to be deceived, captain ; there 
was but one Harry Grey, and he was known by an imprint in 
India ink on his right arm of a cannon in position, pricked there 
by an old soldier named Merideth when Harry was a boy of ten ; 
on his left arm was a natural — the print of a strawberry. 

Captain. I may possibly find these signs (takes off his coat 
and bares his arms) Axe these the marks you speak of t 

Jeffries. (Rising hastily and taking Harry by the arm) What 
is this ! you Harry Grey ! You my boy Harry! You are deceiv- 
ing me, sir ! 

Captain. That is not possible, sir. The proofs of my identity 
are in the marks you have described. 

Jeffries. You are right, my boy. Oh, what joy is this ! (Em. 
bracing Harry) Let me look at you. The very features of your 
father. (Sits in the chair, his head resting on his hand.) 

Captain. O my dear Mr. Jeffries, I fear the surprise has been 
too much for you. 

Jeffries. It is you, Harry; let me embrace you again. (Em- 
bracing.) Now I am all right, and Harry, we will have a 
jubilee on your return. Susan, go tell Lady Alice her brother 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


27 


is found. No, stay. Get all the people on the place together, 
and have the fattest ox roasted. I feel like dancing for joy. 
(Dances about the stage.) Tol de rol, tol de rol, tol de rol. 
This is the happiest day of my life, (Sits.) Now, Harry, let us 
finish the dozen. 

Captain. Not to-day, Mr. Jeffries ; hut I will take another 
glass with you. (They drink ) 

Jeffries. Tell me what you have been doing these twenty 
years, that we did not hear from you ? 

Captain. I have been in the army, stationed in the East 
Indies, since I left England. 

Jeffries. What put you in the army ? 

Captain. Necessity. I enlisted as a common soldier and by- 
good conduct worked myself up to a captaincy. Now tell me 
about my sister, as I have learned one was born after I left the 
Country. 

Jeffries. Your sister was engaged to marry Evremond, but the 
fortune hunter presuming your sister would lose her estate, de- 
clined the marriage, which so enraged her that out of revenge 
she married Paul Merideth. 

Captain. Who is Paul Merideth ? 

Jeffries. A man with good principles. Evremond had none. 

Captain. Enough ; let us pay her a visit. 

Jeffries. At once, my boy. Sergeant, take a glass of wine 
with Susan to the safe return of the captain. I am ready, 
Harry. (Exit with captain, R. E.) 

Sergeant. I will take a dozen, my old boy. Come, Susan, a 
glass with you. 

Susan. I never drank a glass of Wine in my life. 

Sergeant. I will teach you. This is the prelude. (Kisses her.) 

Susan. You are very bold, sir. 

Sergeant. I can’t help it ; I love you. 

Susan. Love me ! you must be crazy, sir. 

Sergeant. Do you think people crazy when they love ? 

Susan. Not when they love the right one. 

Sergeant. You are the right one, Susan. 

Susan. That is very strange. (Bell rings.) The housekeeper 
rings for me, sir. I will ask Mr. Jeffries to let you come and see 


28 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


Patrick. Do so; my dear. I will come to-night, with or With- 
out permission. (Exit, R. E.) 

Susan. Is this me, Susan, kissed by a man, or is it somebody 
else ; well it’s not so bad after all, he only took one, no harm in 
that I am sure, besides he is a soldier and girls like to be kissed 
by soldiers. I am certain I will dream about him to-night. 

(Exit, L. E.) 

Scene 2. — The Sitting Boom of Lady AUce. 

Enter Lady Alice and Lucy. R. E. 

Lady Alice. Lucy, you will say to any visitors that I am 
fatigued and beg their indulgence. 

Lucy. I will obey your orders, Madam. (Exit, L. E.) 

Lady Alice. I have drank deeply of dissipation and wearisome 
were the balls, the ridottes, the fetes, the parties at faro, where 
I dragged my reluctant husband to. (With force.) I will quit 
dissipation. (Sits by the table.) I have no longer any relish 
for it. My husband seems displeased but never utters an un- 
kind word. Husband, did I say. Yes, Mr. Merideth is my kind 
and devoted husband, but he observes our contract too faith- 
fully. Oh ! that contract, why did I make it so binding, but I 
thought I could never love again, I am mistaken. I love my 
husband. I plunged into dissipation to forget Evremond ; he is 
forgotten, but it was not dissipation caused the change. It was 
the devotion of a kind husband to his wife, (Enter Lucy with 
flowers, L E.) Another bouquet, Lucy, and this more fragrant 
than the others. Who brought this one ? 

Lucy. I know not, Madam, I found it on the table in the cor- 
' ridor. (Exit, L. E.) 

Lady Alice . ’Tis strange, every day flowers of the choicest 
kinds are sent to me and I am in ignorance of the donor. There 
is devotion in flowers. (In alow voice.) They mean love. Can 
I, a married woman devoted to my husband, receive them in this 
way, I think not, self-respect should cause me to set them aside, 
but with a# woman’s curiosity I will put a woman’s wit to work 
to find out the giver. (Opens the bouquet.) Here are the fra- 
grant piuks, as white as snow, they mean fidelity, how sweet 
they are, arid the jessamine, white, yellow and the oape, the 


* 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


29 


first is amiability, tlie others (poor fellow) mean jealousy ; how 
well they fill out: but look at the roses, the whites are beautiful 
and in abundance, they are for young brides ; here is a bunch of 
fragrant ones in the centre with a paper carefully tied on, that 
paper may reveal the secret. Let me first read the flowers. 
The bud friendship, the half blown, love. He is getting on 
finely, the full blown and plenty of them, marriage, you are too 
late, Mr. giver ; I have a husband. (Laughing.) Let me see 
what else there is from my admirer. Anemone, that means be- 
trayed love. (Shaking her head ) You are treading on dangerous 
ground, sir. Now comes something better, the acacia, pure 
alfection, that is good. Heliotrope, eternal love, finishes my 
work. Now let me read the paper before I tear it up, as it must 
be a love letter. (Opens the paper.) Love verses as I live and 
in my husband’s writing; I know it so well. (Laughing.) 
How disappointed some married ladies would be at such a re- 
sult, I am not. It is plain, Mr. Merideth, that you love your 
wife, and still plainer that your wife loves you. 

Enter Abigail. L. E. 

Abigail. Madam, Mr. Merideth desires to be admitted to your 
presence. 

Lady Alice. Bid my husband enter. (Exit Abigail, L E.) I 
must teach him not to make his visits so formal. 

Enter Merideth. L. E. 

Merideth. (Agitated.) Madam, I have come to — to ask a 
favor, and to make a confession. Though I loved you long, long 
ere you took me, a poor wretch, from the streets ; yet my love is 
no longer to be borne. If I stay here I must go mad or die. Oh 
Madam, that contract! think you I would have signed it, but 
for the poor mother who bore me, and who was perishing in my 
sight, when you raised me from the depths of poverty? For- 
give my love ; I can not help it. I have come to request you 
will do me one parting favor — purchase me a commission. I 
would be a soldier, Madam, my father was one. I can live 
Madam, on my pay ; your allowance I request permission to 
relinquish. 

Lady Alice. Wherefore ? Oh God, this is too much. — (Aside.) 

Merideth. I can no longer subsist on your bounty, I have 


30 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


made much progress of late, Madam ; your wit and accomplish- 
ments stimulated me. Forgive me, Madam, and sometimes deign 
to cast a thought on him who adores you silent and hopeless. 

Lady Alice. (Aside) My dear husband ! 

Merideth. I fear I have offended you, Madam. 

Lady Alice. You have not. ( Aside) Oh, I could cast myself 
at his feet and acknowledge my love. But that fatal oath ! 
(Loud) Leave me now, Mr. Merideth ; I will have the com- 
mission sent to you, hut you must not, nay, you shall not relin- 
quish the allowance. 

Merideih. As you will, Madam ; but my pay will support me. 

Lady Alice. It matters not, that part of the contract must not 
he violated. 

Merideth. I will obey you, Madam ; farewell ! (Exit, L. E.) 

Lady Alice. Farewell, dear husband ! you have won my love ; 
now win a name to deserve it. 

Enter Lucy. L. E. 

Lucy. Madam, Mr. Jeffries and a strange gentleman are wait- 
ing in the library to see you. Mr. Jeffries says the stranger is 
your brother. 

Lady Alice. My brother ! I have no brother. 

Lucy. Yes, Madam; this is the one they thought was 
drowned. 

Lady Alice. Indeed ! then the predictions of Mr. Jeffries are 
correct. God grant it may be true. I have lost a husband, but 
find a brother. Go with me to the library, Lucy, you may be 
wanted, (E xeunt. L E.) 


ACT V. 

A LAPSE OF TWO YEARS. 

Scene 1 . — A Room in the Rouse of Lady Alice. Enter Jeffries with 
a Letter . R. E. 

Jeffries. What can Lady Alice mean by writing : “ Come in 
great haste, or you will he too late.” I hope she is not danger- 
ously ill. Poor girl, she grieves at the absence of her husband. 
He will soon be back, when all will be made right. 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


31 


Enter Lady Alice. L. E. 

Lady Alice. Mr. Jeffries, I have sent for you to draw up my 
will. It is two years to-day since my dear husband left. I can- 
not long survive his absence. I wish to leave him all my pro- 
perty. 

Jeffries. You have seen Mr. Merideth’s promotion as colonel, 
have you not ? 

Lady Alice. I read it in the gazette, hut not a line have I had 
from him. 

Jeffries. Did you request him to write ? 

Lady Alice. I did not ; but he might have known how re- 
joiced I would be to get his letters. 

Jeffries. No doubt he would like to have heard from you. 

Lady Alice. I will write to him at once, confess my love, and 
beg him to quit the army. 

Jeffries. It is too late, he will soon he home. I see by the 
gazette his arrival in a transport 

Lady Alice. Home, do you say? my husband has no home ; I 
have no home. A wife is without a home estranged from her 
husband. 

Jeffries. You are mistaken, Lady Alice: you have a home and 
a good one, with all the comforts of life at your command. 

Lady Alice. I would give up all to recall that fatal oath. Mr. 
Jeffries, you know not how I love my husband. The last two 
years has been a blank. Why did you consent to the oath ? you 
were my guardian, and the one I trusted most for my happiness. 

Jeffries. Very true, my child : I found you bent on marriage, 
and what could I do. You would marry and you did marry. 

Lady Alice. I did marry it is true, and God has blessed me 
with a good and true husband. It is the fatal oath that cowers 
me down and makes me feel an insignificant creature. (Walks 
the stage excited.) Oh, my God! what is to be done ? a hus- 
band coming home and no wife to receive him. Mr. Jeffries, 
you were wrong in agreeing to the contract of marriage ; that 
was bad enough, but the oath binding the contract was worse. 
Would you had killed me at once. (Sits.) 

Jeffries. Lady Alice : you know you married to be revenged 
on Evremond : you acted wisely in marrying Merideth : you 
were of lawful age ; I tried to check you but without effect. 


32 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


Lady Alice. I did marry it is true, to be revenged on Evre- 
mond, and thought then I could never love again ; but two 
years’ absence, with a fatal oath between us, cannot make me 
forget the duty a wife owes a husband, when treated as I have 
been. 

Jeffries . Why I thought you were happy in your marriage ? 

Lady Alice. Happy indeed! How can I be happy under an 
oath that deprives me of the rights and duties of a wife. I feel 
as if I would die before the return of Mr. Merideth. 

Jeffries. Die ! you will do no such thing, Lady Alice ; you 
love your husband, and you will live long enough to make the 
poor fellow’s heart ache worse than it does now. 

Lady Alice. I will be ever kind to him. 

Jeffries. I will vouch for his kindness to you. All his letters 
to me are filled with devotion for the woman he loves. But he 
will keep his oath. 

Lady Alice. O say not so, Mr. Jefiries. 

Jeffries. You would not have the man perjure himself. 

Lady Alice. I would not, but he can find a way of getting 
round it. You are a lawyer and can instruct him. I don’t 
think I meant such an oath when the Notary wrote it down. 

Jeffries. You would forgive the Notary, provided he had writ- 
ten it in error. 

Lady Alice. (Joyfully.) Forgive him ! yes indeed, and will re- 
ward him. Say there is hope ! 

Jeffries. There is. 

Lady Alice, (Clasping her hands . ) Heaven be praised for 
that kind expression ! ( Shout outside.) What noise is that ? I 

fear it betokens ill luck. 

Jeffries That is a shout of joy, as you will now see. (Opens 
the door.) 

(Enter Merideth, R. E., with Capt. Grey, servants crowding 
behind.) 

Lady Alice. (Running to Merideth.) Oath or no oath you are 
my dear husband. (Embracing.) 

Merideth. My dearest wife (Kissing her.) That fatal oath. 
One more embrace, my dear wife, and I part from you forever. 

Lady Alice. You shall not leave me, you are my dear husband. 
I will cling to you and be only separated by death. 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE 


33 

Merideth. I must go. I cannot bring perjury on my soul ! 

Jeffries. Perjury, fiddlestick ; talk of perjury in matters of 
pure love. (Walks about excited, taking snuff freely.) I, stu- 
pid, prosy old lawyer though I be, foresaw this hour when 1 
was manufacturing that rigmarole of a deed, you heard me read 
it once ; hear it again. (Takes up the deed.) I just introduced 
a clause which will set all to rights. The oath was registered 
with a saving clause, that if both parties mutually agreed to 
hereafter renounce the conditions of the deed, and become man 
and wife actually, instead of a mere legal fiction, the said agree- 
ment was by mutual consent, to be null and void. 

Lady Alice. (Falling into the arms of Merideth.) Oh ! my 
God, what happiness is this ! all my dreams of love are here 
centered. 

Jeffries. Come, Harry, let us leave the married couple to their 
fate; I have made them happy, which they did not expect. All 
on this estate must be made happy to-night, if feasting and dan- 
cing will do it. We will have a long sitting. Harry ; and Meri- 
deth, when you tire of courtship, come and join us, provided your 
wife be willing. (The servants retire, R. E.) 

Merideth. What say you wife, to this invitation ? 

Lady Alice. Do as you please, my dear, it is a restriction over 
you I do not claim. 

Mei'ideth. Then I will stay with you. 

Lady Alice. Mr. Jeffries, that is an answer all good husbands 
will give. (Laughing.) Recollect we have a lapse of two 
years to go over, my tongue has been tied since that period and 
I claim a special privilege belonging to my sex, to give it a 
free license whenever in the humor. 

Jeffries. Heaven protect your poor husband ! 

Captain. Amen to that. 

Lady Alice. Rail on, you will tire first. (Enter Sergeant and 
Susan, R. E.) But whom have we here? 

Susan. It is me, Lady Alice. (Cortseying.) You are happy, 
I wish to be happy too. 

Lady Alice. How can I serve you, Susan ? 

Susan. By getting Mr. Jeffries to grant his permission to my 
marriage "with Sergeant Patrick. 


c 


34 


MARRIAGE FOR REVENGE. 


Lady Alice. Do you hear that, Mr. Jeffries? 

Jeffries. More trouble in camp it seems : that’s the matter 
with you, Susan ? 

Sman. Nothing, sir, except that Sergeant Patrick loves me 
and I love Sergeant Patrick. ^ 

Jeffries. Is that all ? 

Sman. That is enough to get married on, sir. 

Jeffries. What do you want to marry a soldier for? the 
scamps have wives in every port. 

Sergeant. You mean sailors, sir. 

Jeffries. I believe you are right, Sergeant. You have my 
consent to marry Susan, and if you don’t make her a good hus- 
band, I will have you tried by court martial and shot. 

Sergeant. I take all the chances, Squire. 

(Exit with Susan, R. E.) 

Jeffries. Let us go now, Harry. 

Lady Alice. Stop, Mr. Jeffries and brother Harry ; for reasons 
I will hereafter give, I wish you to go with us to the library, 
where the scenes of my trouble began, and thanks to your fore- 
sight ended. It was there I vowed to marry for revenge. I 
kept my word and by so doing took a chance in the lottery of 
life. It was a terrible chance, but (taking Merideth’s hand) I 
have drawn the highest prize. 

THE CURTAIN FALLS. 


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